Boven Digoel regent gets four years and a half for graft

The Corruption Court sentenced recently re-elected Boven Digoel regent Yusak Yaluwo to four years and six months in prison for graft in the procurement of a tanker ship and misappropriation of special autonomy funds for Papua province between 2005 and 2007.

"We found him guilty of committing corruption as stated in the indictment," the head of the team of judges Hendri Agusten said Tuesday.

According to the judges, in 2005 Yusak markep up the price of the ship worth Rp 3.5 billion to Rp 6 billion. He also ordered his subordinates to gradually disburse the regional administration's funds worth Rp 64.2 billion in 2006 and 2007 for his personal business.

The corruption is estimated to have inflicted Rp 66.7 billion in state losses. (lnd)